h{art} Strings

Really, I'm not amused.

I am weary of the winter.  It's been strange lately.  Warm then cold, ice then sun.  The rounds of snow over the last couple of days leave me wishing for spring and warm days.  I have an early-blooming rhododendron under my dining room window.  Today it looks like this:

Many years it will start to bloom and then - boom! - we get a good freeze and all of the buds fall off.  I don't know if these beautiful pink blossoms will last.  I hope they do.  It's been snowing off and on since late last night.  Fortunately it is warm enough that when it stops, it probably won't stick around for long.

In the spirit of Spring, here are two cards that I made while at Stampin' Up!'s regional conference in Houston.  Both of these cards were made using the Send Me Soaring stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I love these little kites!

This card is a "viewmaster" card.  Turn the wheel and the kites change!

 

And I love the details on this one . . . the rounded corners, faux stitching (done with the White Gel Pen), and the polka dot flower.  The polka dot petals were made by stamping a polka dot kite, and then punching out a small heart from the stamped image.  Four hearts make the center of the flower.

Here's to warmer days and flying kites . . . soon, I hope! 

It's what's inside that counts . . .

I had such a great time today stamping with friends this afternoon and again this evening.  The cards seemed to be a big hit.  But I think the projects were overshadowed just a little by this sweet indulgence:

 

Look closer:

 

Yes, that is an Oreo in the middle of a very large chocolate chip cookie!  Yum!  I found this recipe on Pinterest and thought it was appropriate that we should have something special to celebrate Oreo's 100th birthday.  Fresh-baked cookies and stamping - it doesn't get much better than that!

Speaking of stamping, here is the project that my stamp club made in February:

 

The technique is called "bargello" and involves assembling strips of designer paper, then cutting them in the opposite direction and re-assembling the strips in a pattern.  This card uses the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, which is part of Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration promotion.  Just order $50 of merchandise before March 31st and you can have this DSP for Free!  The stamp set is Mixed Bunch from the Occasions Mini Catalog, along with the Blossom Punch. 

 Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Pretty spring cards

I've had a lot on my plate the last few months, and haven't always had my card designs prepared as far in advance as I'd like.  At one time I was quite diligent about having designs done a good three weeks before my first class, but that has slipped over time.  I think the last couple of  months I was designing right up until the last minute.

Not this month!  I can't say I'm really ahead of the game, but my cards are all designed for my March stamp classes.  Those of you who are coming will get to make these:

These cards use a lot of material from the Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-a-Bration promotion.  The colors are so fresh and make me think of spring (which I am so VERY ready for, especially after yet more snow yesterday!).   I have room in Friday's classes if you are in the Kent/Seattle area!

 

Don't miss these holiday savings!

You won't want to miss out on these holiday savings from Stampin' Up!  Great products are available for up to 60% off!  Check out my on-line store for details!

Thinking of you . . .

In her recent creative challenge on So Shelli, Shelli Gardner (her royal stampingness) suggested we design a card for someone who needs a little pick-me-up.  You know, with all of the cards that I design and create, you would think that I would be on top of this.  But I must confess I am much better at making cards than I am at mailing them out.  Every new year I add this to the top of my resolutions – to remember friends, to send birthday cards, and just let someone know that I care.  I’m behind on this once again, so I didn’t have any trouble thinking of three people in my life that I need to send a little love to.

This first card is the French version of the My Friend stamp set, “Chere Amie”.  You do know that many of Stampin’ Up!’s stamp sets come in French or Spanish, don’t you?  I love this set in French, and, yes, I do know what it says thanks to three years of French in high school and college!  I wanted to create a card with a classic tuxedo look.  Here’s the result:

 

I stamped “bon jour” on vellum paper and layered that over the rest of the card.  The glimmer brad adds just the right amount of bling to tie off the satin ribbon.

Stamps:  Chere Amie

Cardstock & Such:  Whisper White; Basic Black; Vellum Paper; Brights Collection Designer Series Paper Stack (Rich Razzleberry)

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry

Other Stuff:  Black Satin Ribbon; Brights Glimmer Brads; Stampin’ Dimensionals

The second card uses the new “Nature’s Pace” stamp set.  I love the thistle, the bee, and all of the lovely images in this stamp set.  If I could have figured out a way to tastefully use them all on one card, I would have done it! 

 
 

Stamps:  Nature’s Pace

Cardstock & Such:  Old Olive; Soft Suede; Naturals White

Ink:  Soft Suede; Early Espresso; Old Olive; So Saffron; Regal Rose

Other Stuff:  Scallop Trim Border Punch; Basic Pearls; Blender Pen; Stampin’ Dimensionals

The third card is made with the “Aviary” stamp set.  These little birds are a hoot (pun intended) and they love to escape their cages to spend time together.  The new polka dot brads are one of my favorite new accessories in this catalog.

 

Stamps:  Aviary; Occasions Alphabet

Cardstock & Such:  Calypso Coral; Baja Breeze; Whisper White; Chocolate Chip

Ink:  Chocolate Chip; Calypso Coral; Baja Breeze

Other Stuff:  Big Shot; Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder; Decorative Label punch; Designer Printed Brads; Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots Ribbon; Stampin’ Dimensionals

 Is there someone in your life who could use a little stampin' love?

 

A stINKin' cute box

I saw this really cool project at convention and recreated it for my stamp club and stINKers group meeting last week. 

 

The box is made from the milk carton die for the Big Shot – how awesome is that?  To create it, you need two die cuts, and then remove the end panel (the one without the tab for adhesive) from both pieces.  Simply adhere ends together so you have a hexagon box.  To create the top, after the sides and bottoms are fastened together, you just need to close each panel on the creases like you are closing a milk carton.  Love it!

 

Cardstock and such:  Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White; Flirtatious Specialty Designer Paper

Other Stuff:  Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch; Boho Blossom Punch; Basic Rhinestones; White Baker’s Twine; Crop-o-Dile; Mini Milk Carton Die

Summer has finally arrived in the Northwest.  A mild summer has arrived.  On some days.  Actually, I’ll take it.  While it makes for a mighty attractive climate for those nasty mosquitoes, it sure beats the heat that so many of the rest of you are dealing with.  John and I enjoyed the sun on Saturday when we headed into Seattle to watch the Seafair Torchlight Parade.  It’s the biggest parade in our area, and we hadn’t been in well over 20 years.  Dan was marching with the Soundwave (Seattle Sounders' band), and it gave us a good excuse to face the crowds – I’m so glad we did!

 

Wave to us, Dan!  (love the water bottle tucked in his Sousaphone)

 

 

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

When the last day of convention rolls around, it comes with mixed emotions.  Excitement, sadness, anticipation, exhaustion, and more.  It’s so good to spend time with friends and see all of the new and exciting products SU will have to offer this year, but I’m always anxious to get home, get some rest, and get to work and try my hand making some of the amazing projects I saw demonstrated.

 
When we entered Main Stage on the final afternoon, we were treated to an opening act by SU’s own band.  These folks played for us a year or two ago, and they are really talented.  We saw even more great product demonstrations, and – as we’ve sorta kinda come to take for granted – we ended the convention with yet one more product giveaway for everyone there.  The best kind of stamps (and digital download DVD’s) are the FREE kind!

 

 

We had so much fun . . . and if you want to join me at next year’s convention, give me a jingle or send an e-mail.  I wouldn’t miss it for the world, and I’d love for you to come along!

So after getting home and semi-unpacked, I spent time this week finishing up my projects.  Here are my make-and-take projects:

 

 

 

The three cards were stamped with Raining Flowers, Best Friends Forever, and It’s Your Day.  We also received the stamp set “Easy Events” and a ready-to-go workshop packet that we could use with that set when we got home.  How cool is that?  The three cards were designed to be displayed on this banner:

 

I love the pinwheel, and it was so easy to make! 

 

 

 

Then we embellished a new card box using Best Friends Forever and the new Timeless Portrait Designer Fabric.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this new fabric!  So classy!  The box will be available in the upcoming Holiday Mini Catalog starting September 1^st.  It comes flat with templates included so that you can decorate before you assemble it. 

I also finished my Village of Cuteness:

 

What can I say?  So stinkin’ cute!  I’m considering offering a Village of Cuteness class this fall – are you interested? 

It takes a village

My feet are killing me.  We have been on the go non-stop all day.  The morning started with classes, and in the afternoon we had more main stage presentations.  While there isn’t anything particularly newsworthy to report about the day’s activities, it was a fun and informative day. 

This year, SU offered some optional classes, all of which were held tonight.  Bobbie and I took the “Village of Cuteness” class, and I gotta say that this is (or soon will be) one very cute village.  We made (actually we are still in the process of making) three wooden houses and they are very – well, they are very cute!  Between this project and my unfinished make-and-takes, I will have lots of stamping to finish up when I get home!

We caught up with Darla Lorbeski and Karen Hambright and shared a table with them.  They are such wonderful ladies, and it was great “framping” with them.  (Definition:  Framp (v) to stamp with a friend.)

One of the finished houses will hopefully look something like this:

 

 
Bobbie and Darla

 
Karen

 

Me and Bobbie.  Boy, do I look tired.  Must be the fluorescent lighting in the room!

Convention ends tomorrow and we will be hitting the road right after the closing session.  We’ll return Crystal safely to her home and spend the night there before driving home on Sunday.

. . . and yet another bag story

 
First, I promised photos of my convention swaps.  In the interest of time (my bedtime, that is), I’m posting them without listing the products used.  If you want details on any of them, just leave a comment and I’ll get back to you.

Fit for a Queen:

 

Lots of texture on this one:

 

The return of French Foliage stamp set (hooray!):

 

Chocolate mummy:

 

Last, but not least, a s’more treat:

 

 

Take a look at those marshmallows.  They are actually flat and are called “Stackers”.  Perfect for the microwave if you want a s’more but would rather not set a fire in your backyard.  Yum!

The morning started with main stage presentations.  My personal favorite was the unveiling of the Holiday Mini Catalog, which is chock full of new products including a scoring tool (yippee!).  Yes, they even made us bags to carry this new tool – which we could pick up with a return trip to Memento Mall.   One of the other cool new products is a food-safe stamping tool that includes stamps for Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.  The cookies they served at lunch showed off the results:

 

Most of the demonstrators in my group spent the afternoon doing our make-and-take projects.  Suffice it to say that even us experienced stamper-types just canNOT complete five over-the-top, complicated projects in 90 minutes.  Mine are stamped but not assembled, so I’ll have to show them as I get them put together.  I promise it will be worth the wait – they are awesome!

At the end of the day’s events, Alisha and her friend, Kim Warren, tried to connect with us to get a ride back to the hotel.  The two of them were LOADED down with convention bags, and all of their great finds from Memento Mall.  Unfortunately we missed their call, and since they didn’t have a ride, they decided to hoof it, bags and all.  A bit later, Bobbie got a text message from Alisha:  “. . . so we just started walking. The Lord provided a homeless mans cart along the way for us and we laughed so hard as we dug it out of the grass. :-) . . .”

 

Seriously folks, do you think we need any more bags?  They wheeled that shopping cart right through the front doors of the hotel and up the elevator.  It's in the middle of their room right now.

Can’t wait for tomorrow!  Off to bed now.

Bags, bags, bags

We’re very tired tonight.  We’ve shopped, swapped, walked, and photographed our way through the day.  We received our convention bags this morning.  Love it!

 

Memento Mall was crowded and a bit difficult to photograph inside, but needless to say we managed to fill a few shopping bags.  

 

Bobbie bought most of this:

 

This is what I came home with – just a few things!

 
 

Alisha Linn, one of the demonstrators in our group, found out this morning that she made Founder’s Circle, which is a HUGE achievement.  Ultimately, it means that Alisha is one of the top 100 demonstrators during this past year.  (And that she gets a very cool, special bag to take on her exclusive vacation.)  We are so incredibly, over-the-moon happy for her!

 

We photographed the product showcase, ummmm garden.  Flowers, flowers everywhere.  I wish I only had the time and space to create some of these pretties.  At the very least, I wouldn’t kill them by overwatering.

 

 

Before this evening’s kick-off party, Bobbie and I sat down to relax for awhile.  Bobbie didn’t stay sitting for long.  She was out like a light!  If I hadn’t shaken her, I’m sure she’d still be sleeping on this bench.

 

The kick-off party was fun.  Lots of demonstrators decorated garden hats.  Bobbie dressed a couple up for the two of us.  She can be a great sister when she’s not busy sleeping on benches.  Michelle won stamps and accessories - she's having a terrific time at her first convention!

 

 

 More pillow gifts tonight.  This is what I made for Bobbie:

 

 

How stinkin' cute is that?  This backpack pattern is available through Becky Roberts’ blog.

And Bobbie made this for me – a cozy for John’s beer bottles!  (It's OK, John.  Real men like pink!)

 

I've gotta hit the hay or I will have bags under my eyes as well.  More tomorrow . . .